ClamAV review (2026): is it any good?
Free open-source antivirus engine and command-line scanner
ClamAV report card
Fair · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for free command-line malware scanning
ClamAV is a free, open-source scanner for files and mail servers. Its own docs say it isn't a traditional antivirus or endpoint suite. It has no desktop app, runs from the command line and watches files in real time only on Linux.
Who ClamAV is for
- Fits if you run Linux or a mail server and want a free scanner
- Works for a sysadmin who's comfortable on the command line
Who ClamAV is not for
- Not for you if you want a desktop antivirus with a window, because there's no graphical app
- Skip it if you want real-time protection on Windows or Mac, as on-access scanning is documented for Linux only
- Too light for your only protection, since the docs say it isn't a traditional antivirus or endpoint suite
- Watch out: it wants about 3 GiB of RAM and 5 GiB of free disk with the standard database
Why ClamAV gets a 2.4
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree and open source under the GPL v2, with signature updates from Cisco. Anyone can download and run it.
- AFree plan and trialFree outright, with no plan limits on record. The docs suggest 3 GiB of RAM and 5 GiB of disk for the standard database.
- DFeaturesCommand-line and daemon scanning, archive support, signed databases and mail gateway focus. The docs point to Cisco Secure Endpoint for a full antivirus.
- DEase of useNo store rating on record, and you work through a command line and config files.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac and Linux, but computers only: no phone app and no graphical interface.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Cisco's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/clamav#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/clamav.svg" alt="ClamAV: 2.4 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where ClamAV stands among antivirus apps
ClamAV's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 7 of the 25 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 5.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 24 of 25) and worst on features (D, above 0).
ClamAV has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.3 out of 4, and no tool on the category's chart scores higher without costing more.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 26 antivirus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. ClamAV’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 25, level with 1
- AFree plan and trialAbove 24 of 25, level with 1
- DFeaturesAbove 0 of 25
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 25
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 3 of 25, level with 1
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 22 antivirus apps. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep ClamAV, or make your own?
Keep it
ClamAV is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 13 of the 25 other antivirus apps grade higher.
What you could not
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. ClamAV’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is ClamAV?
ClamAV is an open-source antivirus engine, licensed under GPLv2 and maintained by Cisco. It ships a multi-threaded scanner daemon, command-line scanning tools and a signature updater, and is aimed at mail gateways, servers and other automated scanning. Its own documentation says it is not a traditional desktop antivirus suite.
Worth knowing
- ClamAV's own docs say it is not a traditional antivirus or endpoint security suite and point to Cisco Secure Endpoint for that.
- Real-time on-access scanning is documented for Linux only.
- The downloads page offers installers and source packages; it does not offer a desktop app with a graphical interface or a mobile app.
- The docs recommend at least 3 GiB of RAM and 5 GiB of free disk space for the scanner with the standard signature database.
Key features
- Command-line and daemon scanning
- Includes a command-line scanner for on-demand file scans and a multi-threaded scanner daemon, with an automatic signature updater.
- Mail gateway focus
- The docs describe it as designed especially for e-mail scanning on mail gateways, and the About page lists a milter interface for sendmail.
- Archive and file format support
- Scans inside archives such as Zip, RAR, 7Zip, Tar and ISO, and reads PE, ELF and Mach-O executables, Office files, PDF and HTML.
- On-access scanning on Linux
- The ClamOnAcc client for the ClamD daemon scans files as they are accessed on modern Linux, and can block access until a file has been scanned.
- Signed signature databases
- Signature databases are signed, so the scanner only executes trusted definitions, and the databases are updated several times a day.
ClamAV pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, ClamAV is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free and open source under the GNU General Public License v2, with signature updates published by Cisco.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| ClamAV | $0 | Open-source engine, scanner daemon and updater. You install and run it yourself, with no paid edition. |
Read from docs.clamav.net on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with ClamAV before you buy.
ClamAV alternatives
- ClamAV vs Malwarebytes
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- ClamAV vs Sophos Home
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- ClamAV vs Emsisoft Anti-Malware
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- ClamAV vs Avira
Free plan
Common questions
Does ClamAV have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. ClamAV is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does ClamAV have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. ClamAV is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is ClamAV open source?
Yes. ClamAV is open source, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026.